I love the authors character development the time spent in the first book building each character’s background really payed off in the second book as I felt extremely emotionally invested in each of the main characters. The addition of new characters including some mystery elements leaves me anxiously waiting for the next book.
The narration was top notch both in emotional scope and variety of voices.
My favorite part has to be when one of the new characters has enough in the final battle and snaps. Note I am being vague here as to not spoil it but when you read the book it is unmistakable.
I would definitely recommend this though the first book would really help set the stage the author does a decent job of setting some groundwork so it could be a first introduction to the series.